How to Spend One Week in Upstate New York

Upstate New York has a very special place in my heart. I spent the majority of my summers growing up split between Marion (very tiny town in Wayne County) and Sodus Point, off Lake Ontario. My mom grew up here, and her family stayed here, so when I wasn’t in Tennessee (where I grew up), I was spending time up north.

To this day, it is one of my favorite places to be. I would go so far as to say it’s one of the prettiest places in the US.

Upstate New York is perfect for a visit in any season! It’s beautiful and crisp in the Spring, temperate and lively in the Summer (compared to Tennessee, that is), it boasts beautiful fall foliage in the Autumn, and is perfect for snowmobiling in the Winter!

And bonus: Upstate New York can be a budget destination! If that’s what you’re looking for anyway. It can still be a luxury destination, but I think we all appreciate a little more bang for our buck every now and then!

The most difficult thing about spending a week in Upstate New York is going to be choosing where to go and what to do. There are so many beautiful and interesting towns, and a never-ending list of things to do and see. So that’s why I made this guide, so that you don’t have to choose! I’ve already chosen the best of the best for you!

The Best Time to Visit Upstate NY

There is really no bad time to visit Upstate New York, but everyone has their preferences. If you want to focus on the lake life, just go in the summer months from late May to early August. For a more temperate apple-orchard and winery touring climate, go in the spring months of March and April (although the fall months are better for apple orchards specifically), or the fall months of September to late October. For a snowmobiling or skiing extravaganza, the best months are late November through February.

This itinerary is all about choices, because a lot of the things that I would normally do may not be for everyone, including kids! So, starting with our first destination, I have picked two different starting points!

Here’s the best way to spend one week in Upstate New York:

Day One- Option 1: Explore Sodus Point

I chose to start our Upstate New York journey with the Lake Ontario, because after a day or two of traveling (whether that be by plane, train, or automobile) you might just want to relax, and it doesn’t get any more relaxing than a day at the lake!

Not many think about Lake Ontario when they think about a trip to the Great Lakes, but I think that that is a complete mistake! It may be the smallest of the five Great Lakes, but it is every bit as beautiful as the others. It is also surrounded by some of the most beautiful lake towns, including Sodus Point.

It is also only a 45 minute drive away from Rochester, just in case you are flying in!

You are going to want to make sure you rent a car for this trip if you didn’t drive your own, because not only is this a road trip itinerary, Upstate New York is just a beautiful region to drive through, and I wouldn’t suggest that you do it any other way!

Sodus Point is your classic, northeastern beach town. While not on the ocean, the Great Lakes tend to make you feel like you’re at the ocean, and I always did enjoy knowing that I was less likely to be attacked by sharks in the water here than in the ocean!

Where to Stay in Sodus Point: Sodus Point is going to be where you save the most money on your trip. This is a budget destination! That’s a good thing, I promise! Depending on when you stay, the Carriage House Inn Bed and Breakfast costs $120-$140 per night.

The Quarters at the Lodge are simple, yet modern and clean, and have everything you need for your two night stay. They cost about $90 a night.

Side note: Do you guys remember when you could get a motel room for $30 or less??? Now $90 seems cheap!

VRBO and Airbnb are also really great places to look for rental homes or cabins.

If you just happen to be staying in an RV, you can reserve a spot at the Sodus Point/Lake Ontario KOA for $90 a night, give or take based on the size of your RV.

Honorable Mention: The Finger Lakes Treehouse and Spa are a 15 minute drive from Sodus Point, but I had to include them because they are so cool! They are exactly what they sound like- individual A-frame treehouses with modern decor and their own fire pits, and the spa is a cube-shaped treehouse. However, these are not budget accommodations, as they will cost you about $330 a night.

What to Do Day One in Sodus Point: Since you probably don’t want to trek to the beach first thing, let’s spend our first day exploring Sodus Point. Sodus Point is a very small town, and it won’t take too much out of you to do so. There are lots of cute, little gift shops, boutique stores, and treats to look at, but first, brunch!

Head on over to Tick-Toc Croc’s Cafe for a waterfront brunch/lunch. The place itself is tiny, but the waterfront seating is the best! They serve up a varied and delicious menu, from french toast to lobster rolls.

Once you’ve filled up, it’s time to head to the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum, the most recognizable spot in Sodus Point. It’s a beautiful historic lighthouse overlooking Lake Ontario, and from here you can also access the pier in which the Sodus Outer Light stands. This is one of the best places in Sodus Point to take in the views and take photos.

Next up is the shopping that I promised! There are many places to check out on the downtown strip, but a few highlights are Sodus Point Fudge and Gifts, The Point’s Mercantile, and Youngman Orchard’s Farm Market.

Once you have gotten your fill of shopping, it’s time to refuel again! If there is one thing that the residents of Sodus Point are proud of, it’s their fish fries (is it fish fries or fish frys, I’m not sure??)! There are quite a few choices, so it will be easy to find, but the ones that I recommend are:

• Steger Haus
• Franklin House Tavern
• The Heights Restaurant
• Skipper’s Landing Restaurant

You will need to work off those calories after dinner, and the best way to do that in Sodus Point is by piling EVEN MORE calories on with an ice cream cone at Hot’s Point! No seriously, there are not many ways to lose weight in Sodus Point, it’s just not going to happen!

Now like I said, a lot of places in Sodus Point run on seasonal time, so if Hot’s Point isn’t open for the season yet, check out The Inside Scoop and Cafe.

Go back to your place, and hopefully you have a fire pit to sit around for a relaxing night!

Day Two- Option 1: Beach Day and Chimney Bluffs

The best part about Lake Ontario is that you feel like you are staring out at the ocean, and the beaches can be just as beautiful. Sodus Point Beach Park is a public, sandy beach with public restrooms and changing rooms, a lifeguard on duty, as well as a playground, volleyball courts, and picnic tables.

You’re going to want to spend a few good hours here, just as you would at any beach. I would recommend starting your day early so that you can soak in the best rays of the day!

Be sure to get your coffee at Imprint Coffee to start your day off right!

It’s also worth noting that the beach is only a 10 minute walk from Hot’s Point and other restaurants, which is convenient for the those who despise picnics (like my husband)!

I highly recommend going over to Franklin House Tavern for lunch if that’s the case. They offer pretty much everything but the kitchen sink on their menu.

Next, you’ll head over to Chimney Bluffs State Park, where you can view an almost alien looking landmark created by erosion. It is a pretty cool thing to see in New York, that you would never expect to find. There are about four miles of hiking trails here (mostly wooded). I would rate these trails as easy, so this would be a perfect hike for anyone, including families with children. Dogs are allowed, as long as you follow some pretty basic pet owner rules such as leashing, picking up after them, and keeping them up to date on their vaccinations.

After your day at the beach and a little hiking, you are probably going to be ready for dinner!

Sodus Point has been all about the casual, comfort food dining up to this point. I would recommend wrapping up your stay in Sodus Point with the only fine dining option you will find! The Heights Restaurant is situated on a golf course overlooking Sodus Bay, and offers both fine dining and your casual favorites. So, everyone should be able to find something that will make them happy!

Now go home and get plenty of rest, because our next lakeside destination will be slightly more involved than Sodus Point was!

FYI: Other Lake Ontario towns worth exploring and/or staying in are Olcott and Oswego.

Day One- Option 2: Explore Canandaigua

Canandaigua is a beautiful little town right in the heart of the Finger Lakes, making it easy and accessible to most of the Finger Lakes area. I have chosen this destination as option #2 because it is going to be more adult-friendly, and there will be more to do.

From Rochester, you will drive about 35 minutes to Canandaigua, making it the shorter trip of the two. It’s a beautiful drive through the New York countryside, so be sure to start early and set aside a little time to make any stops you desire.

Where to Stay in Canandaigua: As I said before, this can be a budget or luxury destination, just based on your preference. You can stay at The Lake House on Canandaigua for about $188 a night. As the name suggests, this is a beautiful hotel right on Lake Canandaigua with an upscale feel, on-site fine dining, and luxurious amenities.

For a more authentic bed and breakfast feel, you can stay at the Bed and Breakfast by Oliver Phelps for about $190 a night. There is also the Sutherland House Bed and Breakfast, which is more of a Victorian feel, for about $143 a night.

For a budget option, the Holiday Inn Express Canandaigua- Finger Lakes is a solid choice for about $93 a night.

I would also recommend looking into some rental homes for a budget option. This one is really nice and situated right on Lake Canandaigua for about $89 per night. VRBO and Airbnb are also great places to look for rental homes.

What to Do Day One in Canandaigua: It’s time to get out and explore downtown Canandaigua and the Canandaigua City Pier. Walk along and visit a variety of cute little shops around town ranging from gifts, wine, coffee, clothing, and more! Start your walk with a coffee stop (and maybe a sweet snack) at Simply Crepes Craft Kitchen.

Then, once you’ve shopped till you’ve dropped, head on over to The Green Front for some great, all-American tavern food to refuel. Once you’ve been rejuvenated with lunch and a beer, head on over to Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park, a 50-acre botanical garden and historic Victorian mansion. Depending on when you go and on what day, be aware that Sonnenberg is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays and is also only open from early May to late October due to the seasonal weather. Just keep this is mind!

If you are visiting Canandaigua in the Winter months, I would highly recommend taking advantage of some of the Winter activities instead. Some of the best things to do in Canandaigua during the Winter are snowmobiling, ice skating, and skiing at Bristol Mountain.

After exploring Sonnenberg, head on over to the Canandaigua City Pier, where you can get the best of both Main Street and the lake! Some notable stops along the way are Kershaw Park, which is a great place to watch the sunset, and the beautiful pier homes, which make for a great photo op! If you like fishing, then this is the perfect place to scratch that itch.

By this point, you are going to be thinking about dinner, and your choices are going to be a little more varied than they were in Sodus Point! I highly recommend dinner on day one at the Bon Ami French Bistro, which serves a French menu… obviously! Everything is absolutely divine.

Now go home, relax, hydrate, and rest up, because tomorrow is all about imbibing on that famous Finger Lakes wine!

Day Two- Option 2: Finger Lakes Winery Hopping

It’s actually not customary to get wasted while you’re wine tasting, but hey if you really appreciate wine, it’s hard!

The Finger Lakes region is famous for being a top wine spot in the US, and has some of the best wineries around.

This is why I chose Canandaigua for our home base. It’s right smack dab in the middle of the Finger Lakes, and you can easily access any winery you want. There are in fact, too many amazing wineries to pin down what any one person would enjoy the most.

So I have compiled a list of the wineries by categories such as vibe, destination, or specialty for you below:

Finger Lakes Wineries

I want you to keep in mind that this is a very compressed list of wineries in the Finger Lakes region, and remember that you don’t have to always stick to a list! Make your list, but if you come across another winery that you like the look of, by all means make the stop! There are way too many amazing wineries out there to try, and you WILL NOT be able to try them all! Just go with the flow.

Personally, I myself would go with the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, just because of the sheer amount and quality of wineries in this area. Not to mention, Seneca Lake is just beautiful in its own right!

What Else Is There to Do in the Finger Lakes?: In the case that you don’t want to spend your whole day going to wineries, or if you have children, you may be wondering what else is there to do?

• Kayak- There are 11 “Finger Lakes,” so one of the more obvious choices would be to head out on the water!
• Watkins Glen State Park– With 19 waterfalls, hikes ranging from easy to difficult, and beautiful vistas, this is a logical place to spend your day in Upstate New York! It has been voted one of the best state parks in the US, after all.
• Taughannock Falls State Park– Another park with jaw-dropping waterfalls and plentiful hiking would be Taughannock Falls State Park.
• Cornell University– Check out Cornell University’s campus! It is one of the most gorgeous college campuses around, and venture out into Ithaca, the super gorgeous town it resides in. If you are visiting in Autumn, be prepared for that epic fall foliage!

Best Finger Lakes Restaurants: After a day of winery hopping (or hiking), you will need to get some food in you! Where should you eat?

• Kindred Fare– for a unique menu and great for vegans!
• Ports Cafe– fine dining with a great view of Seneca Lake.
• Stonecat Cafe Regional Cuisine– organic food and a local menu.
• Warfield’s Restaurant, Lounge, and Bakery– fine dining in a beautiful historic building with an English garden.

Day Three: Letchworth State Park

Letchworth State Park is an iconic scene in Upstate New York. The Genesee Arch Bridge (formerly known as the Portage Viaduct) is what most people think of when visiting. There is so much more to discover though, and luckily you can stay right within five miles of Letchworth State Park itself!

From Sodus Point, this is a 1.5 hour drive, and from Canandaigua the drive is just under an hour.

Best Places to Stay in Letchworth State Park: As I said, there are plenty of options to stay quite near the park itself, so that you can take a little break from all of the driving. Here are a few of the best options:

Letchworth Farm Guesthouses sit on an 86-acre horse farm, with stunning views and guided horseback riding! The “guesthouses” are cozy cabins that have everything you could possibly need except the groceries. These come in at the pricier range at about $370 a night.

The Silverlaken Estate offers a variety of accommodations including lake houses, cabins, and even houseboats! This property is especially suited for camping and fishing, and you can rent your gear and even a pontoon boat on site! You can find accomodations ranging from $80 to $130. I find this to be a great option not only because it’s a bargain, but because it might be a unique glamping experience!

The Allegiance Bed and Breakfast is your ordinary option for a bed and breakfast with outrageous wallpaper and decor! Hey, I’m not taking a dig here, I love it! Allegiance is that absolutely gorgeous and stately white, historic home that everyone dreams of growing up in, so here’s your chance to at least pretend for a night or two.

The Glen Iris Inn is going to be the closest you can get to Letchworth State Park, because it is in fact within the park itself! Letchworth State Park’s own namesake lived in this house, and there are many different rooms you can choose from. You can stay in the main house or one of the few detached homes around the property. Rooms range in price from $145 to $370 per night.

Best Things to Do in Letchworth State Park: Letchworth State Park is truly a magical place. Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” there is no shortage of activities you can enjoy here, including hiking, snowshoeing, horseback riding, biking, rafting, hot air balloon rides, and chasing waterfalls. There are three waterfalls to view here: simply named the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls. There are 66 miles of hiking trails, so you could hike the entire time you are here, if that’s what you wanted to do!

However, you are probably going to want to take it a little more easily than that on day one. So, I recommend visiting the Humphrey Nature Center to get a good introduction to the park and its surrounding, including a bird observation station, a trout pond, a butterfly garden, and Inspiration Point Overlook. This is a great place to get the kids initiated!

As an aside, this is also a great place to take your loved ones with Autism. Within the park is the Autism Nature Trail, which is a mile long and provides multiple stations along the way with sensory details and experiences. It is also paved so that it can be accessible to anyone.

After you have made your rounds at the Nature Center, I would suggest taking part in an organized activity such as horseback riding, rafting, or a hot air balloon ride, just depending on what kind of time you have left in the day.

Where to Eat at Letchworth State Park: The one accommodation within the park, Glen Iris Inn, is also home to one of the best places to eat: Caroline’s Dining Room. Caroline’s offers an American menu with a large variety for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

You are going to find various snack stands throughout the park, but I would suggest getting a few groceries for this stay, as there isn’t much more around! Unless you just want to eat every meal at Caroline’s, which is perfectly acceptable! There are a few country grocery stores around, as well as a Wegmans about 35 minutes from the park.

Day Four: Epic Hiking and Chasing Waterfalls

You’re going to want to pack up your hiking gear and head on over Caroline’s Dining Room for a serious breakfast, because today you are hiking the 7 mile Gorge Trail in Letchworth State Park. I chose this trail because it runs parallel to the main road (so if you get lost, you should at least be able to get yourself back on point) and takes you past many important stops along the way such as the Upper and Middle Falls, the iconic Genessee Arch Bridge, as well as Inspiration Point.

There are also multiple picnic areas along the way, so be sure to pack a decent lunch!

This trail is a great foundation in experiencing all that Lechworth State Park has to offer.

One piece of advise: This trail is not a loop! So that means if your group has two cars, you will need to park one at the Mary Jemison Parking Area and one at the Mt. Helena picnic area. If you don’t have two cars, I would call ahead to the Park Office and make sure the bus will running, and then if that’s a no, try one of the other trails. No one wants to be stranded, and I don’t really encourage hitchhiking.

CNY Hiking has some good literature on the trail itself.

Alternatives to the Gorge Trail: The best alternative to the Gorge Trail would be the Greenway would be the Letchworth #9 and #10A loop. It is 4.2 miles long and is mostly a wooded hike. This hike has been rated as moderately challenging, so just keep that in mind. AllTrails has more information on the trail itself.

CNY Hiking has some really good info on the many Letchworth State Park hiking trails, so check it out here!

What to Pack for Your Hike: You won’t have to go too overboard for a 7 mile hike, but there are a few things that you should always consider when hiking on potentially uneven ground in an unknown territory.

• Waterproof Hiking Shoes (or boots)- To be honest, I have never found a pair of sneakers that were 100% water-proof, but I like Columbia’s Crestwood Sneakers because they are mostly water-proof and they are great hiking shoes as well. They are also stylish enough to just wear out and about, if you are too scared to explore in wedges like me! 
• Extra socks: Because soggy feet are just no fun! 
• A sturdy but lightweight backpack– I love Osprey, but there are many out there!
• Snacks- For the love of God bring plenty of snacks! You don’t want the kids complaining by mile marker 3 and you don’t want to find yourself getting lightheaded either.
• Plenty of Water: Bring a hefty bottle/container for water. I like this one because it’s sturdy and also purifies!
• Picnic Lunch- There are plenty of picnic areas along this trail, so pack a good, shelf-stable lunch. This means nut butter sandwiches, granola bars, jerky, tuna, salmon, or anchovy pouches, bananas, etc! Don’t bring containers you can’t open with your hands, and if you do, come prepared.
• First Aid Kit– You just don’t know what’s going to happen out there!
• Your Camera & Tripod (or smartphone)- You are going to get some great photos on this trail! I’m not going to suggest any selfie sticks, because that’s usually the last thing people do before they die. No, seriously.

• Bug Spray– It’s the outdoors. Enough said!

Now I don’t know about you, but when I get done with a day of hiking, I like to head to the nearest brewery and reflect on the day. There is just nothing like an ice-cold beer after a 7 mile hike! So head on over to Silver Lake Brewing Project for a few before dinner.

By now you know what your two options for dinner are, so fill up and rest up for your trip to Niagara Falls!

Day Five: Niagara Falls

From Letchworth State Park, you will drive 1.5 hours to Niagara Falls. The one choice you need to make here, is which side to stay on. New York or Canada? Obviously, staying on the right side of the border is always easiest. However, I have to say that I found the Canada side to have better views than the New York side.

Some Things to Consider: The Canada side tends to be more expensive, and requires a passport to enter.

• You can only experience the “Journey Behind the Falls Experience” from the Canadian side.
• The Canadian side also tends to be a little more touristy.
• The NY side has its own exciting experiences such as “Cave of the Winds,” the “Maid of the Mist” boat tours, and a chance to view the falls from Goat Island.

If it were me, I would stay on the New York side, but secure a passport so that I could waltz over to the Canadian side as well!

Where to Stay at Niagara Falls on the NY Side: This is going to be the budget side.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Niagara Falls, NY is my favorite choice for staying on the falls in New York. Rooms start at $120 per night.

If you have been enjoying the Bed and Breakfast life, then I recommend staying at the Butler House B&B in downtown Niagara Falls. Rooms start at $194 per night.

My favorite budget option is the Hyatt Place Niagara Falls. Rooms start at $83 per night.

Where to Stay at Niagara Falls on the Canadian Side:

The Niagara Falls Marriott on the Falls is my favorite choice for actually staying on the falls (yes I just said “falls” three times in one sentence). Rooms start at $195 per night.

Another great choice for staying right on the falls would be the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel. Rooms start at $188 per night.

While not directly on the falls, the Country Inn and Suites Niagara Falls is just a quick five minute drive away. Rooms start at $127 per night.

Best Things to Do in Niagara Falls: Many people think that when visiting Niagara Falls, the only thing they should be doing is viewing the Falls! This couldn’t be farther from the truth, although the Falls should take up the majority of your itinerary. Here are just a few more things to do in Niagara Falls:

The Bird Kingdom is the world’s largest free-flying indoor aviary. Yes, this is an opportunity to interact with birds of all types, so if you have kids I would definitely check this out! It is also just a five minute walk from Niagara Falls, making it a convenient option.

Niagara Falls also has one of the largest glass-enclosed butterfly conservatories in North America, featuring over 2,000 free-flying butterflies. So if you were a little nervous about the birds, maybe try out the Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory instead!

The Fallsview Indoor Waterpark is another great choice for the kids. It is three acres of indoor waterpark consisting of 16 waterslides, a wave pool, and hot springs. So if your kids feel like taking a dip in the Niagara Falls (JK JK), take them to the waterpark to scratch that itch instead!

That brings me to what you should be doing Day One at Niagara Falls! As I mentioned before, if it were me I would be spending one day on the New York side, and one day on the Canadian side. After driving to Niagara Falls, I’m going to be doing my shorter excursions this day.

So this is when I would think about doing one of these miscellaneous activities, and then heading on over to the Niagara Falls Observation Tower for your first view of the Falls.

Next, head to the Skylon Tower for a late lunch with a great view of the Falls.

After lunch, I would take a stroll down (or up?) Clifton Hill. It is similar to Gatlinburg in Tennessee or Branson in Missouri in that there are a lot of shops and fun things to do such as Ripley’s, mirror mazes, fun houses, and haunted houses. This is also where you can access the SkyWheel, where you can get a view of the Falls from high up. You will also be accessing your main Niagara Falls excursions from Clifton Hill, so if it’s still early enough and you want to go ahead and do the Maid of the Mist or Journey Behind the Falls on day one, then go for it!

For dinner, you’ll want to don your more formal outfits as you head to Weinkeller for some fine dining. Please note that this restaurant is ADULTS ONLY! So if the kids tagged along, I recommend Napoli’s for some amazing Neapolitan style pizza instead!

Day Six: Truly Experience Niagara Falls

Today is the day you’re going to get wet n’ wild, so the first thing you’re going to do is make sure to pack a backpack with extra clothes. You will be provided a poncho in most situations…. but still… you’re going to get soaked!

DO eat breakfast beforehand because you will be BUSY! For a quick, but delicious breakfast that you can pick up as early as 5:30 in the morning, head to Country Fresh Donuts for everything from breakfast sandwiches, donuts and other pastries, coffee… even wonton soup!

The Top Niagara Falls Up-Close-and-Personal Experiences:

• The Maid of the Mist– boat tours to the foot of the falls.
• Cave of the Winds– an up close and personal walk amongst the Bridal Veil Falls.
• Journey Behind the Falls– You guessed it- an opportunity to go behind the falls (through tunnels that is)!
• Whirlpool Aero Car– Ever wonder what it would be like to see a whirlpool from above? Now you can. Ride in an antique cable car above the whirlpool and hope for the best!
• White Water Walk– An elevator ride down and a walk across a boardwalk to see the magnificent rapids.
• Walk across the Rainbow International pedestrian bridge for some great views of the Falls and hopefully for some rainbow views.

You will most likely want to do two or one of these activities, depending on how much time you’ve allotted.

In between activities, head on over to Flying Saucer Restaurant for an authentic diner setting and some equally authentic and yummy American diner food. Believe me, it’s out of this world!

For your last dinner in Niagara Falls, make reservations at the the Prime Steakhouse for a fancy steak dinner with epic views of the falls (especially at night)!

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That’s a wrap on Niagara Falls! I truly believe you can experience everything that you need to at Niagara Falls in two days, but since this is a six day itinerary, you can add another day if needed.

I did not include this in the itinerary because there is just so much to do in Upstate New York, and so little time! I have to mention Lake Placid for enjoying the Adirondacks if you prefer a little mountain action! FYI, this was the location of the 1980 Winter Olympics, so you know it is a serious Winter sports destination.

I hope I have given you a solid idea of what you would enjoy doing in Upstate New York. I have no doubt in my mind that you are going to fall in love!